Todays ride was a tad chilly for me 64 degrees and overcast. Checking the weather I knew that I'd be getting wet somewhere along the ride. Dropped the ride down from 50 to 25 miles and headed out. The rain held out until 10 miles left so not bad, and sometimes it's fun getting wet. Do you still go out knowing it's going to rain ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDnAxZHrhR8

If there is a chance it "might" rain the answer is yes. If I am sure it is going to rain no. If it starts raining I head for home.

I spent years commuting on a motorcycle and even with best equipment I discovered there is no way to keep water out. It will find a seam, collar or opening between gloves or shoes where it will get in. Once in water will find its way to the most uncomfortable parts of your body. When that happens all the fun of a ride is gone and survival becomes the goal.

I am reluctant to see start out if it is actually raining but getting caught out in the rain is another matter especially if it is over 80 degrees.
Mike

I don't mind riding in the rain. It's the cleanup and maintenance that makes me hesitate.

I mostly bike commute. Lucky for me, here in Colorado Springs there isn't much rain, and when it does it usually doesn't rain hard for long. And since it's a relatively dry climate, one doesn't stay wet for long. So I will ride without hesitation if there is a 30% chance of rain or less. Above that I will pass for a day or two, but after that I will ride regardless of the forecast. A couple of springs ago it rained much more than usual, and even in the morning which is rare. So I just went for it...and I was glad I did. Riding feels better than not riding. My old MTB commuter and new semi-tourer commuter have long, full fenders, and I merely cover my backpack in an upside down drawstring kitchen bag and put my phone in a ziplock sandwich bag. I turn on my bike and helmet flashers and go. If it is under 50 degrees I will wear a water resistanr wind breaker. I have been caught out on the rain on my old roadbike, and I carry two Fed Ex cardboard envelopes in my backpack for that. One gets folded in half and gets bungied to the botton of my saddle bag to prevent that stripe up my back. The other gets folded in half and bungied to the bottle cage on the downtube to help prevent upspray.

Just yesterday on the way home from work it began raining. I'm usually good until it gets heavy enough that you'd need your cars wipers on high. Then I look for an overhang or something and wait. Yesterday I waited 15 minutes, and then continued home under light showers.

Some think I'm crazy, but I agree with you...sometime's it's fun getting wet! (nice video!)

I don't mind the rain so much. Here there's no problem with cool temps or anything. But I agree the post-ride clean up I can do without. Also we tend to get ponding, and on road tires when you have no idea what's under the standing water you're taking a risk, plus I don't really enjoy a car/truck coming past and blasting me with water. Here, except for maybe 15 days a years, rain is spotty and can vary from a light mist to a downpour. So the challenge when I leave the house is figuring a route that will stay dry.

scott s.
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Less than 40% I will still go, more I will pass. If it starts I head straight home just because the cleaning of a wet bike is a PIA!!

If raining when my ride is about to begin - no. If I get caught in the rain while riding it's no big deal.